Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Module 28 Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Twin and Adoption Studies 28-1: WHAT EVIDENCE POINTS TO A GENETIC INFLUENCE ON INTELLIGENCE, AND WHAT IS HERITABILITY? Intelligence test scores of identical twins raised together are nearly as similar as those of the same person taking the same test twice. Heritability: The proportion of variation among individuals that we can attribute to genes. The heritability of a trait may vary, depending on the range of populations and environments studied. Estimates of the heritability of intelligence (extent to which intelligence test score variation can be attributed to genetic variation) range from 50 to 80 percent.

Intelligence: Nature and Nurture The most genetically similar people have the most similar intelligence scores. Remember: 1.0 indicates a perfect correlation; zero indicates no correlation at all. (Data from McGue et al., 1993.) Figure 28.1

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Twin and Adoption Studies Although genes matter, is there a known “genius gene?” In one massive international study of 126,559 people, no single DNA segment was more than a miniscule predictor of years of schooling; all genetic variations accounted for about 2 percent of schooling differences. Intelligence is polygenetic, involving many genes. Adoption studies help us assess the influence of environment. Adoption of mistreated or neglected children enhances their intelligence scores, for example.

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Twin and Adoption Studies Significant evidence for environmental effects: Where environments vary widely, environmental differences are more predictive of intelligence scores. Adoption enhances the intelligence scores of mistreated or neglected children. Intelligence scores of “virtual twins” (same-age, unrelated siblings adopted as infants and raised together) correlate +.28. This suggests a modest influence of their shared environment.

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Twin and Adoption Studies Surprisingly powerful genetic influences: Mental similarities between adopted children and their adoptive families lessen with age, until the correlation approaches zero by adulthood. Identical twins’ similarities continue or increase into their eighties. In a massive study of 11,000 twin pairs in four countries, the heritability of general intelligence (g) increased from 41 percent in middle childhood to 55 percent in adolescence to 66 percent in young adulthood. Similarly, adopted children’s verbal ability scores over time become more like those of their biological parents, not their adoptive parents.

Genetic and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Environmental Influences 28-2: WHAT DOES EVIDENCE REVEAL ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES ON INTELLIGENCE? J. McVicker Hunt (1982) study at a destitute Iranian orphanage found dire, negative effects of extreme deprivation. Extreme conditions, such as malnutrition, sensory deprivation, and social isolation, can slow normal brain development. Early intervention has positive results. Intensive, high quality preschool programs can boost intelligence scores. A child's later schooling also pays intelligence dividends and enhances future income.

Gender similarities and differences Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Group Differences in Intelligence Test Scores Gender Similarities and Differences 28-3: HOW AND WHY DO THE GENDERS DIFFER IN MENTAL ABILITY SCORES? Girls Outpace boys in spelling, verbal fluency, and locating objects Are better emotion detectors and are more sensitive to touch, taste, and color Gender similarities and differences Minor gender differences in intelligence (greater anatomical and physiological differences) Effects of culture Social expectations and opportunities matter Little gender gap found in gender-equal cultures Boys Outperform girls in tests of spatial ability and complex math problems Vary in their mental ability scores more than girls do; thus more boys and the low and high extremes

The Mental Rotation Test This is a test of spatial abilities. (From Vandenberg & Kuse, 1978.) Do you know the answer? On average, boys outperform girls in tests of spatial ability and complex math problems, though in math computation and overall math performance, boys and girls hardly differ. The most reliable male edge appears in spatial ability tests such as this one. ANSWER: The first and fourth alternatives.

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Group Differences in Intelligence Test Scores Racial and Ethnic Similarities and Differences 28-4: HOW AND WHY DO RACIAL AND ETHNIC GROUPS DIFFER IN MENTAL ABILITY SCORES? Fueling the group-differences debate are two disturbing but agreed-upon facts: Racial and ethnic groups differ in their average intelligence test scores. High-scoring people and groups are more likely to attain high levels of education and income. Heredity does contribute to individual differences in intelligence. But group differences a provide poor basis for judging individuals in a heritable trait, since such differences may be entirely environmental.

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence Group Differences in Intelligence Test Scores Racial and Ethnic Similarities and Differences Consider… Genetics research reveals races are alike. Race is not a clearly defined biological category. Within the same population, there are generation-to-generation differences in test scores. Given the same information, Blacks and Whites show similar information-processing skills. Schools and culture matter In different eras, different ethnic groups have experienced golden ages—periods of remarkable achievement. Twenty-five hundred years ago, it was the Greeks and the Egyptians, then the Romans. In the eighth and ninth centuries, genius seemed to reside in the Arab world. Five hundred years ago, the Aztec Indians and the peoples of Northern Europe were the superachievers. Today, people notice Asian technological genius and Jewish cultural success. Cultures rise and fall over centuries; genes do not. That fact makes it difficult to attribute a natural superiority to any race.

Group Differences and Environmental Impact Even if the variation between members within a group reflects genetic differences, the average difference between groups may be wholly due to the environment. Imagine that seeds from the same mixture are sown in different soils. Although height differences within each window box of flowers will be genetic, the height difference between the two groups will be environmental. (From Lewontin, 1976.)

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence The Question of Bias 28-5: ARE INTELLIGENCE TESTS INAPPROPRIATELY BIASED? Three hypotheses about racial differences in intelligence: There are genetically disposed racial differences in intelligence. There are socially influenced racial differences in intelligence. There are racial differences in test scores, but the tests are inappropriate or biased. In considering the third possibility, we need to consider which meaning of bias we use.

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence The Question of Bias Two Meanings of Bias Scientific meaning of bias is based on test predictive validity. If test does not accurately predict future behavior for all groups of test-takers, it is biased. So if it successfully predicted women’s achievement but not men’s, then the test would be biased. Major U.S. aptitude tests have predictive validity for women and men, for various races, and for rich and poor. But a test can also be biased if it detects not only innate differences in intelligence but also performance differences caused by cultural experiences. This happened to Eastern European immigrants in the early 1900s, who lacked experience to answer questions about their new culture. Tests that make cultural assumptions—that a cup goes with a saucer—can bias the test against those who don’t use saucers. Intelligence researchers suggest use of culture-neutral questions to enable culture-fair aptitude tests .

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence The Question of Bias Stereotype Threat Stereotype threat is a self-confirming concern that one will be evaluated based on a negative stereotype. Stereotype threat may impair attention, performance, and learning. In a study by Steven Spencer and his colleagues (1997), women did not perform as well as men on difficult math test unless they had been led to expect that women usually do just as well on the test. Another study with Black students showed that they performed worse when reminded of their race before the test (Steele et al., 2002).

Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence The Question of Bias Stereotype Threat Our expectations and attitudes can influences our perceptions and behaviors, including our test performance. Critics argue that stereotype threat does not fully account for Black-White aptitude score differences or the gender gap in high-level math achievements. But it does address: Why Blacks score higher when tested by Blacks Why women score higher on math tests when no male test-takers are present Why women’s online chess performance drops sharply when they think they are playing a male opponent The “Obama effect” of improved test performance by African-Americans after watching then-candidate Barack Obama’s nomination acceptance and later presidential victory speeches

Competence + Diligence  Accomplishment Genetics and Environmental Influences on Intelligence The Question of Bias Believing in our ability to learn, and applying ourselves with sustained effort, we are likely to fulfill our potential. Three goals for tests of mental abilities: We should realize the benefits that intelligence testing pioneer Alfred Binet foresaw—to enable schools to recognize who might benefit most from early intervention. We must remain alert to Binet’s fear that intelligence test scores may be misinterpreted as literal measures of a person’s self-worth and potential. We must remember that the competence that general intelligence tests sample is important, but also that these tests reflect only one aspect of personal competence. Competence + Diligence  Accomplishment